Vice President JD Vance eviscerated Israeli officials who have criticized President Trump over the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, blasting them for complaining about the document that requires them to stop striking Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Vance told reporters Israeli cabinet members had, in some cases, “very personally attacked the president of the United States.”
“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world,” he added, pointedly.
“Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time, and he happens to be the head of state of the world’s superpower.”
Trump’s signing the truce with Iran on Wednesday ignited a political firestorm in Israel.
Israeli media outlets unleashed a barrage of criticism against the agreement between Washington and Tehran, with some commentators branding it “a catastrophic capitulation” and “a betrayal” of Israeli security interests.
The Jewish state joined the US in launching attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, and Israeli pols have doubted Trump’s decision to deal with the regime and promote a ceasefire.
There are several issues in the US-Iran memorandum of understanding Trump signed on Wednesday that pertain to Israel, including a unilaterally declared cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as the non-inclusion of any limits on Iranian ballistic missiles.
“The murderous thugs of Tehran are not like any other state in the region,” Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter told “Washington Watch with Tony Perkins” on Thursday. “If they have ballistic missiles, they’re going to use them on their neighbors.”
“Tehran is not like any other state in the region. They’re not like any other state altogether,” he added.
Israel has not withdrawn its forces from Lebanon, where they have been staged in the south for weeks hunting Hezbollah terrorists.
While the document is intended to launch nuclear negotiations for a final deal that rid Iran of the potential to create a nuclear weapon — a vital security need for Israel — there are no promises that will come to fruition.
Critics of the agreement argue that easing tensions with Tehran could strengthen the Islamic Republic without securing sufficient concessions, while supporters contend the deal reduces the risk of a broader regional conflict.
US officials have boasted in recent days of strengthening relationships with Iranian leadership during the course of talks.
“[Tehran] wants the world to guarantee that no one will attack Iran,” said Beni Sabti, an Iranian and an Iran expert for Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies. “It’s a very bad deal for the West, very good deal for Iran.”
“On the nuclear issue there are some achievements, but it doesn’t mean that it’s over,” he added, regarding the MOU.
The fallout puts in question the US’ continued relationship with Israel, whose relations with other Western nations took beatings during the Gaza war.
It comes as Israel heads toward parliamentary elections expected by October, placing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an increasingly uncomfortable position as he seeks another term while navigating a rapidly shifting relationship with the White House.
The rift has fueled fears that Netanyahu’s reelection prospects could be in jeopardy while straining one of Washington’s closest alliances in the Middle East.
According to Israeli reports, Netanyahu’s party has abandoned plans to campaign heavily on the prime minister’s traditionally close relationship with Trump — a political asset that had long been considered one of his strongest selling points to voters, particularly after the president helped return all Oct. 7 hostages to Israel.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu in recent months, creating an unusual public rift between the two leaders after years of close cooperation.
The apparent shock inside Netanyahu’s camp was summed up by a longtime ally who spoke to The New Yorker: “He has never been in shock like now. Not with Obama,” the ally said. “No one has caused a shock like Trump.”
